Resource Library
All of CAPLAW’s resources and publications are now available in CAPLAW’s new Resource Library. Use the search filters below to find the resource you need.
Featured Resources
Spotlight on Immigrant Eligibility for Public Benefits
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) working with immigrant communities often struggle to provide effective assistance due to the complexities of immigration and public benefits laws…
Open Meetings Law State-by-State Guide
Open meetings laws typically apply to federal, state, and local governmental bodies. However, some states expand applicability to non-governmental entities, such as recipients of government grants and certain nonprofit organizations…
Responding to Data Incidents
With cybercrime increasing, this question arises more and more often. Many CAAs have moved away from paper records toward electronic systems which contain significant amounts of data, and it isn’t always clear what obligations a CAA has when data within its care is compromised…
Sample Board Composition Matrix
A CAA board may use this excel spreadsheet to reflect its current recruitment strategies and help the board focus on its most pressing board member composition needs. It is important to note, when using a board matrix, a CAA must be caredul to not focus on who people are to the extent that it...
Sample Confidentiality Agreement
Organizations that are possibly merging or sharing services may choose to enter into an agreement to protect any confidential information shared or exposed before and throughout the transaction. Organizations should review this sample confidentiality agreement thoughtfully and modify it as needed...
Shared Services between Two Minnesota CAAs
This case study presents an example of a collaboration between two nonprofit Community Action Agencies to share administrative services, which has since grown to include shared program staff. The case study is based on CAPLAW's interviews with Paul Carlson and Harlan Tardy, the current and former...
Merger between an Arizona CAA and Non-CAA
This case study presents an example of a parent-subsidiary merger between a small, non-profit CAA facing significant financial challenges and a larger, more financially robust non-profit organization providing overlapping social services in the same service area. The case study is based on...
Unlocking the Potential of the Tripartite Board Private Sector
The language in the federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act lays the groundwork for Community Action Agencies (CAAs) to exercise great discretion when identifying, recruiting, and selecting private sector members and groups to serve on the tripartite board.A hallmark of Community Action,...
Step-by-Step Guide for Davis-Bacon Act Compliance
This quick and easy guide to Davis-Bacon compliance information includes sample contracts and payroll forms for weatherization assistance program subgrantees, their contractors, and subcontractors.
Weatherization ARRA Update
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("ARRA") signed by President Obama on February 17, 2009 provided an additional $5 billion for the Weatherization Assistance Program ("WAP") to be obligated by September 30, 2010. As a result of this increase in funding, many Community Action...
Tools for Top-Notch CAAs: Governance + Financial
This six-section toolkit is intended to assist boards and management in their collaborative efforts to build well-governed and effective Community Action Agencies (CAAs).The toolkit includes case scenarios and examples to help you understand and apply the principles discussed. Many of the sections...
CAA Leader’s Legal Guide
The legal framework that governs both public and nonprofit Community Action Agencies (CAAs) as recipients of federal grant funds is vast. This guide aims to give leaders of CAAs - the board and the executive management - an overview of some of the legal requirements that they will work with on a...